Crowdsourcing: Wisdom of the Commons?

Friday, January 25th
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Hussey

The ability for users to meaningfully collaborate across the globe is expanding. Cultural habits are shifting as people connect more frequently, more effectively, and more instinctively than ever before. One need only witness the rise in various forms of self-publishing, in the form of video, social networks, and collaborative content creation to see this take place. Innovation in collaborative platforms is driving the demand for connectivity ever higher. Furthermore, globalization has increased demand to connect, fostering innovation in delivery and infrastructure. As a result, the people of the world are more empowered and interconnected now than ever before.

This panel seeks to understand current and future trends in collaboration, the challenges we face, and the opportunities available to individuals, companies, and humankind.

Panelists

The Future of Sustainable Transportation Systems

Friday, January 25th
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Vanderburg

Innovation around transportation design is a hot topic in Michigan, the US, and the world. International growth in automobile production, rising fuel prices, and increased concern about climate change have changed the dynamics of the automobile industry. It is uncertain what innovations the future will bring but it is certain to bring change.

This panel will seek to understand some of the trajectories for transportation innovation that are being suggested in order to adapt our transportation systems to be more sustainable given the factors mentioned above. It will investigate transportation design, new fuels, information technologies and new initiatives around sustainable transportation.

Panelists

Venture Everywhere: Venture Opportunities from Multiple Perspectives

Friday, January 25th
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Hussey

Venture capital is a well-developed industry in the United States and has played an important role in promoting entrepreneurship and a dynamic economy. Traditionally, the scope of venture capital's use has been relatively limited. The role and scope of venture capital has expanded greatly over recent years and venture capital is now being used in many non-traditional ways, domestically and internationally. The panel will explore venture investment opportunities from a number of different perspectives - traditional venture capital, social venture / venture philanthropy, and corporate venture.

Panelists

Leapfrogging the Digital Divide: Empowering Communities through Technology

Friday, January 25th
10:00am - 11:15am
Michigan

The proliferation of inexpensive, reliable, and high speed Internet access has changed the world immeasurably. This proliferation has helped to bridge much of the world's digital divide by providing access to educational, political, cultural, and linguistic information at the push of a button. There are still many societies, however, where Internet and information access is non-existent. This is particularly true for rural communities in developing countries, where building an Internet infrastructure is seen as economically unattractive due to the high cost of reaching users with low purchasing power.

The massive popularity of wireless networking has caused equipment costs to continually plummet, while equipment capabilities continue to increase. By applying this technology in areas that are badly in need of critical communications infrastructure, more people can be brought online than ever before, in less time, for very little cost. This panel will display how to bridge the gap, some uses of technology in the developing world and the social and political impacts of the resulting sudden access to information.

Panelists

Effects of Mobile Convergence: The Evolving Battle for the End User

Friday, January 25th
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Vandenberg

The parallel emergence of Device Convergence and Fixed to Mobile Convergence (FMC) in the US wireless phone market has brought about the specter of sea change in industry structure. The proliferation of high-powered handsets, diverse applications, wireless broadband, and strong demand from users has unlocked an explosion of potential uses for mobile phones and created enormous pressure for all players in the value chain to deliver an ever-improving user experience.

These developments present opportunities and challenges for existing players. New multifunction devices open up new opportunities for mobile operators to extend their service offerings, drive up ARPU, and reduce churn, Yet the parallel trend of integrating non-cellular technologies, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, to create multi-mode devices, may benefit fixed operators rather than mobile operators.

Traditionally, network operators have tightly controlled the user’s choice of device, content, and applications; however, new players have emerged to put pressure on this model. This development could encourage collaboration previously unheard of between entertainment/media companies and telecoms service providers, and between consumer electronics and telecoms device vendors.

This panel seeks to understand how industry dynamics are changing, what that means for existing players, and how US consumers will be affected.

Panelists

Marketing Strategy in the Digital World

Friday, January 25th
10:00am - 11:15am
Vandenberg

Every morning, with his cup of coffee in hand, Mike turns on the TV and cracks open the World Wide Web to check the day’s news. He has never subscribed to a print newspaper. After reading up, he turns his attention to deleting all the email promotions clogging his inbox- without even reading them. Having signed up for many online services, Mike gets bombarded with email advertisements every day. He opens new email address accounts a couple times a year so that he can start over again- but always gets “found” by email marketers. Mike is constantly on his mobile phone connecting with friends and to check his email. He sometimes wonders how text messages got to be more popular than phone calls. Mike turns his attention to the TV and opens up the saved shows on his DVR- he watches last night’s sitcoms while skipping most of the commercials. Mike rarely watches shows “live”. Mike has a great job and doesn’t save too much of his earnings- he buys a lot of new products and goes out with friends regularly. Mike IS everyone’s favorite consumer- but how on earth is a marketer to reach him?

People around the world today are increasingly dependent on mobile devices over TVs and on word-of-mouth over magazines. Marketers are having a hard time grabbing the attention of highly valuable consumer targets- a much smarter and informed breed due to the ‘digitization’ of popular culture and information. Time is becoming the consumer’s most precious commodity and information overload is the norm of the day. Modern marketers realize that they are playing in a new sandbox and have been forced to learn new rules in order to be successful. Communication strategies and product messages have been adjusted, in short order. What are the best practices employed by top marketers in order to keep pace? What are the creative implications? As the digital revolution is unfolding before our eyes, we attempt to answer these questions and more so that we can market as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Panelists

Biotech + Pharma + Medical Devices = The eradication of disease?

Friday, January 25th
10:00am - 11:15am
Hussey

How will the convergence of the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical device industries facilitate disease eradication and prevention? This convergence has already made significant inroads into areas such as oncology and heart disease. Will advancements in technology speed up the rate at which diseases are eradicated? How will it change the method used and their efficacy? Finally, how will these advancements be used to prevent public health crises, the spread of disease, and the onset of genetic disorders?

The panel seeks to gain an understanding of these issues and their global impact. It will also explore how this convergence will impact the cost of therapies and their distribution, as well as how it will impact the eradication and prevention of diseases specifically in poverty-stricken regions of the world.

Panelists